Several years ago, I learned a valuable lesson about problems. I had too many of them! Every problem my organization encountered ended up on my desk. It didn’t matter what the problem was; it came to me.

I wanted nothing more than to help, but I was in a catch-22. For me to serve my team best, I couldn’t get bogged down with the color of the copy paper we ordered or with the price of office supplies.

I had to focus on the problems that only I could solve.

So, I instituted a new policy: all problems should be solved at the lowest level possible.

I empowered the other leaders on my team to solve the problems that came to them as best they knew how. If they couldn’t decide what to do, they could come to me, but they had to bring three possible solutions (one of which included their involvement!).

I can’t even begin to tell you how well this approach worked. The number of problems that hit my desk was cut in half. And when my team did bring me problems, they also brought me solutions.

What I learned from this is that, often, our problems aren’t our problems; it’s our approach to problems that trip us up.

How are YOU approaching problems? Are you leading through the challenge with solutions in mind?

And, how can you change your perspective?

I want to give you a solution, and I want to help you develop problem-solving power in your leadership. Developing yourself first is the key to transforming your problems into possibilities.